This is what the children say is important to them.

Here are a few excerpts from a report from Amplify (the children’s commissioners advisory group of children and young people.)

The full document can be found here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_738

What we say we need

:Importance of family and friends

Children and young people also place a high value on relationships with their family and the right to a family life (Article 9, UNCRC) as well as expressing a strong desire to have a family of their own.

“if you haven’t got a family to support you or help you then you’ll be isolated”

(survey respondent)

“You can’t live without someone, especially as a child cos you need to be looked after”

(survey respondent)

What we say we need

3.4 Question 3: What are your hopes and dreams?

Overall the top five most selected hopes and dreams that our respondents had were:

 to have a family and be with my family 99.2% (1,291)

 to have a social life including friends 98.2% (1,278)

 to go to university or college/have an education 91.1% (1,277)

 to access work/have a job 98% (1,276)

 to have a home 94.7% (1,232).

What we say we need

3.5 Question 4: What would help you achieve your hopes and dreams?Overall the top five ways most selected ways to help achieve our respondents’ hopes and dreams were identified as:

 love, support and help from my family, loved ones (including pets) or carer 96.8% (1,260)